Concrete block machine



Nov. 15, 1949 J.- MAKEDONKY ETAL 2,488,494

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Filed June 20, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /59 lag 7 m3 'Aiizzwm /4() ,2? 7 A26 N/Al/AlMAAE'DONSKY ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1949 J. MAKEDONSKY E-T'AL- 2,488,494

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Filed June 20, 1947 5 She ets-Sheet 2 7 ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1949 J. M KED K ETAL 2,488,494

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Filed June 20, 1947 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1949 J. MAKEDONSKY ETAI. 2,483,494

CONCRETE BLOCK -MAHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 20, 1947 15, 1949 J. MAKEDONSKY ET AL 2,483,494

CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Filed June 20, 1947 5 Shets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Jacob Makedonsky and William Makedonsky, Grand Rapids, Minn.

Application June 20, 1947, Serial No. 755,820

Claims.

This invention relates to concrete block machines and has special reference to that type which molds a cement aggregate into formed building blocks for subsequent setting and drying.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a machine of compact construction capable of conducting the entire block-making process in automatic sequence, thus enabling a sole operator to make disposition of a completed block while the machine is producing another. In this manner a maximum of efiiciency is attained.

Another object of this invention is to provide a block-making machine wherein a high personal safety factor can be had. In the practice of the invention, it is possible to produce cement blocks at the rate of six or more per minute. During most of this time the operator is engaged in simply initiating each block-making process of the machine and then disposing of the finished block while the machine is operating.

avoid the errors of human judgement which occur in manually controlled devices. For example, when a manually controlled clutch is used to move the sliding hopper of such a machine, it often happens that the operator misjudges the positioning thereof which requires a return of the hopper to starting position and a new try to position same, this being a waste of time.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one of the completely assembled machines with a finished block awaiting removal therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. l with the finished block removed and parts broken away for better comprehension.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged broken plan view of the block mold table and the starting clutch mechanism.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental perspective view of the tamper control mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view partly broken away of one of the novel clutches.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the tamper starting mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the block lift operating mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the automatic trip mechanism for return of the sliding hopper.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the pawl and ratchet attachment of the tamper control mechanism.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged isometric view of the pallet lifting rack.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevational view of the safety slip clutch.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of one of the tampers.

In the drawings, the reference numeral l represents the rectangular base of the framework of the block machine. This rectangular base is constructed of angle iron, as is all the framework unless otherwise specified. In most cases, the unions are accomplished by welding; and where not welded bolts are employed to make for ready replacement should parts wear.

The reference numerals 2 and 3 represent parallel, vertically spaced channel-iron standards considerably heavier than other parts of the framework, for about these standards occur the violence of and the heavy mechanism for the tamping operation. The allied members of the frame-work include the tamper-guiding channel irons 4, 5, B and 'I bolted horizontally transverse the standards 2 and 3. The motor mount a is installed at the rearward, lower end of the framework.

Mounted fixedly and centrally within the framework is the block mold table 9, seen as installed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Also shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are two hoppers, the main or supply hopper l0 and the horizontal reciprocable hopper ll slidable longitudinally upon the upper surface of the table 9. The table 9 has three principal functions, to wit: (1) support a block form I2, (2) provide a support and surface for the sliding hopper H, and (3) provide ample support for the finished blocks.

As seen in Fig. 2, the sliding hopper ll includes a compartment I! for receivin a measure of the aggregrate contained in the main hopper 10, said compartment i! being of a size to hold the correct amount of aggregate for deposit into the mold l2 after which an immediate tamping process follows. It is noted that the trailing portion of the hopper 11 provides a flat upper surface l8 in the same plane with the upper edges of the compartment I! so as to act as a closure during the forward movement of the sliding hopper for the main hopper ID.

The mold formed in the forward portion of the table 9 is, of course, the stationary block form which contains the aggregate during the all-important tamping process. This block form is in itself bottomless, save a plurality of transverse, semi-inverted angle .irons 13. The angle irons are so inverted so as to easily shed strayed aggregate. The principal function of these angle irons I 3 is to support the three aligned cores :4, and the half core l5 at either end of the block form, more clearly shown in Fig. 3,.and to form a substantial base upon which the pallet l6 as seen in Fig. 2 is received.

This pallet is placed manually by the operator into the block form prior to the making of each block and is so designed to snugly fit and conform with the walls and core-contours of the block form. It is obvious that the cores shown create the usual design of one common type of cement block, and that the form may be altered in size for making different sized blocks. The cores, obviously, would have to be altered and corresponding pallets and tampers would have to be used.

Mounted vertically and equally spaced between the standards 2 and .3 and guided by the transverse channel irons 4, 5, 6, and 1 are four vertically reciprocable tamper stems I9, 20, 2|, and 22 each carrying at its respective lower terminus a tamping head 23. (The term tamper shall be meant hereinafter to comprise the tamper stem and the tamper head.)

Mounted transversely a predetermined distance above the transverse channel irons 4 and '5 is another channel iron 24 having a hardwood shock-absorbing strip 25 bolted removable thereupon for replacement should same wear. This .combination, members 24 and 25, determines the lower limit of stroke of the tampers by means of engagement with a rearwardly projecting arm or stop 28 integral with each .respective tamper stem. The spaced relationship of the tampers and the correct guidance thereof is achieved by the members 2! transverse the channel irons 5 and l, and 28 transverse channel firons 4 and 5.

The tamper heads are bolted as at 2.9 to their respective tamper stems, the employment of bolting means being for replacement by larger heads in the instance of the blockmold being enlarged for larger block-making; and they are .shaped to conform with the cores [4 and [5 to tamptherearound.

The entire machine is powered by a single preferably one and one-half horsepower electric motor 39 although a motor of but one horsepower is suflicient as has been proved by practice. The power is increased and the speed is .reduced by a series of reduction pulleys and sprockets, the first of these being, of course, the motor pulley 3| communicating with .a considerably larger pulley 32 by means of :a V-belt. This second pulley 32 is fixed upon one end of a transverse shaft 33 suitably mounted upon either side of the framework of the machine. The sole function of this shaft is to provide a substantial bear-v ing for the pulley 32 and to continue speed reduction by providing at the extreme terminus thereof outside of the pulley 32 a relatively small chain sprocket 34 operating by means .of chain 35 the larger sprocket 35 fixed to the extreme terminus of shaft 31, which latter is mounted transverse the upper forward end of the machine framework and bears upon both sides thereof.

Not only does shaft 31 provide a substantial bearing for sprocket 36 but it also carries means to operate the tampers. The tamper-operating means embodies four kickers or lifts 38 fixed radially upon said shaft 31 and rotatable therewith with each in line with its respective tamper stem. These tamper lifts extend alternately upon oppositersides of the shaft 3! .as seen in Fig. 1 to create a perfect counter-balancing effect, thus eliminating undue vibration.

The lifts 38 are of U-shape and intermediate the spaced extremities of each lift is rotatably mounted a roller for rolling engagement with the arms 26 of the tampers during the upward swing of the lifts. These lifts are continuously swinging 360 degrees during the operation of the machine; and each time shaft 31 completes a revolution, which shaft as stated is continuously revolving, each of the four lifts has completed a raising of its respective tamper which drops to tamp by gravity.

The counterbalanced positioning of the tamper lifts upon said shaft 31 has obviously an alternating effect upon the tampers, which is of major importance; because, it has been found that alternating impact of the tamper heads upon the aggregate in the block form results in a firmly and uniformly packed block. It has also been found that not only are ten strokes of each tamper sufficient, but that allowing more than ten strokes would be folly; for over-compression has degrading effects upon the finished block. In the light of such experience, we have provided the machine with means which permit ten and only ten strokes of each tamper and means to retain the tampers in their upward positions, as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Normally, the tampers are retained in their upper inactive positions until needed and after tamping ten strokes are caught and again re.- tained in inactive position. Means for carrying out the above is as follows:

Mounted rearwardly and transverse the standards 2 and 3 is a horizontal line of shafting indicated at 39. At one end of said shaft 39is mounted-a relatively large timing ratchet 49. This timing ratchet has the proper number of teeth with two thereof having been removed as at 4| topro- .vide an idling action for the pawl 42 and consequently cease intermittent rotation of the shaft 39 by said pawl. The pawl 42 is continuously reciprocated by means of action of the short crank arm 43 fixed to the terminus of shaft 31 which, as stated above, is rotating continuously. The contractile helical spring 44 intermediate the pawl and the framework, along with the pawl guide 45, insures constant contact and guidance of said pawl against the timing ratchet. Obviously then, the shaft 39 will be rotated intermittently by the pawl 42 until the latter slips on the surfaoe'provided by the missing teeth. It is noted that the clicking brake member 46 prevents any possibility of reverse action of the timing ratchet.

At the opposite end of said shaft 39 is fixed a cam 47 which will be described in detail hereinafter. It is to be noted that this cam 41 is completely dependent upon the pawl 42 and rat chet 40 at the opposite end of shaft .39, and their association with the accomplishment of retaining the tampers after a predetermined number ,of strokes resides in another transverse rockable shaft 48 carried intermediate of two forwardly extending block-like supports 49 fixed to the upper face of the standards 2 and 3.

This shaft 48, adjacent each terminus, is carried eccentrically by the bushings 59 of each of the'supports 49. Aligned with each tamper, of which there are four, is a tamper-catching finger 5| carried loosely upon said shaft 48. The function of these fingers is to, when biased rearwardly, lock themselves in their respective tampercatches 52 fixed to each tamper stem.

The arms 53 are of U or clevis shape, the two lower-most termini thereof having aligned bores therethrough for swingable carriage by said shaft 48. Each finger 5| is screw-threadedly carried by the arm 53 and is so carried that it may be replaced should same wear. The uppermost extremities thereof are of chisel shape to insure such flawless catching action.

, Fixed to the shaft 48 and centrally of their respective arm termini, are straight radial arms 54 which serve a dual function: (1) being rigidly fixed upon shaft 48 retain the fingers 5| in alignment with their respective tamping shafts and (2) serve to bias the fingers to closed, catching positions, or to free open position.

The yieldable biasing of the fingers 5| by each arm 54 is accomplished by the forwardly and downwardly arcuate prong 55 fixed to and extending from the face 56 of each arm 53 which passes through the guiding hole 51 near the extremity of said arm 54. The prong 55 acts as a core for the two helical expansive springs 58 and 59, the one 58 intermediate the arm 53 and the arm 54, and the one 59 between said arm 54 and the terminus of said prong 55.

Fixed to shaft 31 and inwardly of the sprocket 36 is a smaller sprocket 66, operating directly in line therebelow a clutch 6|,. centrally of the machine, and a transverse shaft 62 mounted upon the rearward base of the framework by means of the long chain 63 engagingthe sprocket 64 of said clutch 6| and the sprocket 65 of said shaft 62.

The clutch 6|, typical of those used in two other instances in the machine, is important to the accomplishment of the automatic sequence mentioned above and is shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. The clutch in itself embodies the ringlike sprocket 64 which rides loosely upon shaft 66 which latter carries fixedly thereupon the. central mechanism for intermittent engagement with the inner ratchet ring 61 of the sprocket 64. Means for said engagement comprises the cross arm member 68 fixed to the shaft 65. At one end of the cross arm the swingable pawl or arm 69 is attached as at 16 for engagement with the internal ratchet 61 of the sprocket 64. The expansive helical spring H at the opposite end of the cross arm biases pawl 69 towards engaging position with the ratchet 61 and only when pressure is applied in the direction A to trigger 12 which is rigidly fixed to the free end of the pawl will the clutch be disengaged and be in idling status.

One use of the type clutch above described isfound in the reciprocation of the sliding hopper therewith the like sprockets 13 and 14 the one 13 for operation of the sliding hopper-reciprocation clutch I5, shown in Fig. 3, and the-one 14 for operation of the block lift clutch 16, said clutches being operated by means of suitable sprocket chain connections.

When clutch 15 is engaged for operation in the same manner as clutch 6| is engaged, the shaft As seen in Fig. 8 shaft 62 carries fixedly- 11 is rotated, revolving therewith crank arms '|8'|8 at either end of shaft 11. The crank arms 18 render a piston-like action to the horizontal levers 19 disposed longitudinally on either side of table 9, which in turn, are pivotally connected as at to the upright levers 8| pivoted as at 82 to the base of the framework, and operate the sliding hopper II by means of the pivotal connection 83 of levers 8| therewith.

Obviously, when the machine is idling, shafts 33, 31, and 62 are rotating; the tamper lifts are revolving; and clutches 6|, I5, and 16 are in disengaged status. Assuming the machine to be in idling status and the main hopper l0 supplied with the desired amount of aggregate, the compartment of the sliding hopper I1 is normally under the discharge orifice of the main hopper and contains the correct amount of aggregate from the main hopper for deposit into the block form l2 in the table 9.

To initiate the block-making function :of the machine the operator simply pull-s the knob 8 of the clutch trip rod 85 which lies longitudinally of the table 9 below the pallet-receiving angle irons |3 of the block form I2. This rod 85 is connected to stem 99 of the stopper 9| within the housing 81, which stem and stopper are biased rearwardly into clutch trigger-catching position by the helical expansive spring 86 within the casing 81 which is bifurcated at one end thereof as at 88 adjacent the trigger 89 of the clutch 15 to allow said trigger 89 to pass thereby only when stopper 9| is pulled forwardly :by the operators pull on rod 85, attached to said stopper. With no contrary pressure on trigger 89, the clutch T5 is engaged, as is the case with clutch 6|, thus transmitting power to shaft H.

Shaft Ti completes exactly one-half revolution when started which by means of the combination of levers 18, 19, and 8|, push the sliding hopper forward into position over the block mold I2 in the forward end of table 9. Asstated above, shaft 11 completes exactly one-half turn, this being accomplished by means of a second tripping arrangement 92 exactly like the one 81, and in 180 degrees about the axis of shaft Ti. This tripping means 92 engages trigger 69, thus disengaging the clutch 75, which automaticall halts shaft 1'! and, of course, retains the hopper H in position over the block form l2. As stated previously, the upper surface of the trailing portion of the sliding hopper slides snugly in :place under the orifice in the bottom of the main hopper l0 plosing same. For guidance during the forward and rearward movements of the sliding hopper, depending lugs 93 of which there are four, two on each side, slide against the upper side edges of the table 9.

With the sliding hopper in place over the block form and the latter filled with aggregate, the next step of the automatic sequence is the starting of the tampers. This is accomplished upon the forward movement ofthe sliding hopper-which trips clutch 6| in the same manner as clutch I5 is tripped, in this :case, the lateral projection 94 on the side of. the sliding hopper ii strikes the trip 95 which swings the arm 96 thereby pulling the trip mechanism 9? similar to that heretofore described. Upon release of the trigger T2, the clutch 6| rotates until stopped again by the tripping mechanism 91'. As the sliding hopper returns, the lug 94 passes the trip 95 :and has no efiect thereupon, the action being similar to the trip mechanism shown in Fig. 9.

With theengaging of clutch 6| shaft 66 is rotated, and carried upon shaft -66 .is the crank arm 98, see :Fig. I, which :operates the diagonal rod 99 pivoted to the upper terminus I00 .of the bifurcated lever IOI loosely mounted upon the stub extension of shaft :39. .This ibracketed extension obviously being simply to accommodate the full swinging of :the weighted :arm J02 fixed to the shaft 49, see Fig. 4. Centrally .of the bifurcated lever IOI is mounted a notched cam I03 fixed to the stubextension of shaft 39. The action of the lever IOI upon said extension 39 is by means of the dog I54 installedlongitudinallyand centrally within the lever -I0.I biased towards the cam by the eXpansive helical spring I05. Obviously then, when the clutch 3| is engaged, *crank arm 98 is swun counter-clockwise, as viewing Fig. .7, and pulls-down rod -99 which in turn pulls upon lever IOI which, by means of the dog I04 and the notch I06 in cam I03, rotates shaft 39 by virtue of their cam and :bracket iconnection. At the opposite end of the shaft 39, as previously explained, the ratchet wheel 40 which is rotated with the shaft 39 to a point where pawl 42 may begin to take effect in completing the rotation of shaft 39, see Fig. 10.

When cam 41 on shaft 39 is thus effected by action of the remote clutch 6I, it is partially rotated carrying the weighted arm I02 upwardly on the ball bearing roller -I0-'I from the idle or inactive position in the lowermost area of the cam undulations as shown in dotted lines Fig. 4, to the outer circular edge I08 of the cam 41. As the arm I02 is raised, the shaft 48 is rocked slightly to tilt the fingers 5| out of engagement with the catches 52 allowing the tampers .to drop where they may be acted upon by the tamper lifts 38 to perform the tamping operation.

After the tampers have completed .ten strokes the roller IIl'I has traversed the outer circular rim of the cam 47 and reaches the position shown in Fig. 4. As the arm I 02 goes downwardly into the undulated portion of the cam 41 upon the eleventh stroke of the pawl and ratchet, the shaft '48 is again rocked, this time tilting the fingers 5I into position to engage the catches 52 and stop further tamping operation. Upon the succeeding actions of pawl 42, the :cam 41 is rotated so that roller Ifi'l reaches the idle or inactive position shown in dotted lines Fig. 4 and by the falling of the arm I92 the tampers are raised sufficiently to prevent the tamper lifts 38 from engaging their respective tamper arm 26 until clutch 6| isagain engaged by the second block-making cycle. This also raises the tamper head-s sufiiciently to permit of movement of the sliding hopper without interference therefrom.

Having the aggregate tamped and molded in the block form, the sliding hopper II is then automatically retracted, shearing off the excess aggregate from the block and carrying back the same therewith, leaving a smooth, flat block surface flush with the upper surface of the table 9. Means for accomplishing the same is as follows:

Fixed to shaft 48 adjacent the standard '2 is a trip arm I09 for engagement with a trip lever I I0 pivotally carried upon the shaft II I journaled upon the frame member 2. Upon the opposite end of this shaft is fixed crank arm I I2 to which is attached the sliding hopper trip'rod I I3 extending diagonally to the rear of the machine where it activates the crank arm I I4 fixed to the transverse shaft II5, see Figs. 3, 4, and 9. Shaft II 5 carries the depending crank arm I I6 which, when shaft I I5 is rotated by 'indirect action of trip arm I109, pulls .trlp III] :of the tripping mechanism I48 identical with the clutch-engaging means within the housing 81 "and alternately operable therewith. When clutch stopper I-I9-is retracted, trigger 89 is freed; thus allowing shaft TI .to complete a second half .revolution terminated by contact of trigger 89 with stopper 9 I of the tripping mechanism within the housing 81,

An opposite action of members I8, I9, and 8I is produced by the second one-half revolution of shaft TI; andof course, the opposite action results in the retraction .of the sliding hopper II into position under the main hopper so that compartment IT thereof and the discharge orifice of the main hopper register'where it is again filled with the correct measure of aggregate for the making of the next block.

As the sliding hopper "is about one-half its way back to fully retracted position, the completely molded cement 'block .and :'its supporting palletis raised where it :may be placed upon a stripping arm-like :carriage. .Means for accomplishing this finalautomatic operation is as follows:

As stated above, "clutch 16 automaticallyoperates the block-lifting mechanism. Clutch 716, being powered continuously during the idling of the machine by the chain I2I from the sprocket 74 :on the shaft 32, is engagedas by the crank arm I22 on shaft 1? which, during the final one-half revolution of shaft 'I'I trips lever I23, pivoted as at I24, which in turn acts upon trip mechanism I25 to engage clutch '76 in a manner identical with the engaging of clutch I5. When clutch 16, mounted upon transverse shaft I26, is revolved one-half turn, determined by the stopper of the tripping arrangement I2! directly opposite the tripping arrangement I25 in a manner similar to that which accomplishes the sliding of hopper I I,the shaft I26 carries at either end thereof the crank arms I28 as seen in Fig. '8, which activate the long arms I29 pivoted at the rear ends thereof to the framework as at I39, in an upward and downward motion as by the link arms I3I.

Mounted beneath the block form T2 and ver tically reciprocable there'below, is a rectangular block-lifting frame I32 carrying screw-threadedly adjustably therein the four vertical pallet-engagingand raising rods shown at I33.

This frame I32 is carried vertically slidable below the block form by means of the grooved guides I34 fixed at either end thereof for sliding guidance about the vertical members I35. Carried by the grooved guides I34 are two inwardly projecting stub shafts I36 for engagement within the slots I3! in the termini of long arms I29. From "the above it is obvious that the engaging of clutch 76 will raise the pallet-engaging rods I33, and in doing so will raise the finished block up from-within the block form I2 and will retain same there, for, as stated, the trip mechanisms will allow but one-half turn of said shaft I26.

The ultimate removal of the finished block is achieved by the take-off mechanism comprisimg the arm I38 and the bumper I39 fixed upon "the vertical shaft I40. This combination is secured in hinge-like fashion to the framework of the structure as at I4! and is manually swingable by means of handle I42. The arm I38, supported by the brace I43, has fixed thereto two parallel block-carrying fingers I44; and when the arm I38 is swung into the machine, the block carrying fingers I44 are inserted intermediate the block table surface and the raised pallet I6 and the finished block.

When arm I38 "is swung *inwardly, the bumper arm I39 is swung therewith, engaging the lever I45 pivoted centrally thereof as at I46, the opposite end thereof being pivoted to the retraction arm I4'I of the tripping arrangement I21. When the clutch I6 is thus again engaged, the shaft I25 completes its revolution determined by its being stopped by the tripping mechanism I25. Obviously, when shaft I26 completes its second one-half revolution, the combination of crank arms I28 and long arms I29 lowers the block lift to a position below the block form, its lowermost position determined by the cessation of the rotation of shaft I26 when clutch I6 is disengaged by tripping means I25.

When the block lift is lowered, it naturally places the finished block upon the fingers I44 of the arm I38, whereupon the operator manually pulls the handle I42 swinging the block away from the machine where it may be manually disposed of.

To make another block, the operator simply initiates the operation by pulling tripping knob 84, and the entire function, as described above, is repeated.

From the above, it is apparent that, in view of the automatic sequence of the operation and the two simple manual operations somewhat physically remote from the mechanism of the invention, we have devised a block-making machine wherein a high safety factor is maintained.

As automatic safety means should aggregate or other foreign objects interfere with the sliding hopper or mechanism therebelow, we have provided a slip clutch comprising the toothed member I48 integral with sprocket 65 carried loosely upon shaft 62 and biased by the relatively strong expansive helical spring I49 against the opposed similarly toothed member I50 fixed to said shaft 62.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A machine for making concrete blocks comprising: a frame, a blockmold table within said frame, a block form in the forward end of said table, a minor hopper slidable longitudinally on said table, a supply hopper directly above said minor hopper for filling same, tampers supported above said form, control means for intermittently operating said tampers, a clutch manually engageable to move said minor hopper forward to discharge its contents into said form, tripping mechanism operated by said control means to engage said clutch to return said minor hopper to its rearmost position, a block lift operating clutch carried in the lower portion of said frame, block lift mechanism intermittently operable by said clutch, and tripping mechanism activated during the return of said minor hopper to engage said block lift clutch to lift the finished product out of said form by said block lift mechanism.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and said means for operating said tampers comprising: a driving shaft; tamper arm engaging lifts fixed radially on said shaft, one for each of said tampers; an eccentrically mounted rockable shaft; tamper catching fingers carried by said rockable shaft in line with each of said tampers; a weighted arm fixed to one end of said rockable shaft; a roller on said arm; an intermittently operable shaft; an undulated cam fixed adjacent the end of said intermittently operable shaft, said roller riding on the periphery thereof to rock said rockable shaft to release said fingers; a ratchet wheel fixed to the opposite end of said intermittently operable shaft; a crank arm fixed to the end of the said driving shaft adjacent said ratchet; and a pawl operated by said crank arm to rotate said ratchet, intermittently operable shaft, and undulated cam so constructed and arranged that when said tampers are released by said fingers, said tamper arm engaging lifts raise said tampers a predetermined distance where they are dropped by gravity to tamp.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and means for starting said tampers comprising: a shaft, a cam fixed to said shaft, a lever biased towards engagement with said earn, an undulated cam fixed to said shaft inwardly of said first mentioned cam, a rockable shaft eccentrically journaled adjacent said first mentioned shaft, tamper catching fingers carried on said rockable shaft aligned with each of said tampers, a weighted arm fixed to said rockable shaft, a roller carried on said arm outwardly thereof and riding on the periphery of said undulated cam and resting normally on the innermost of said undulations, so constructed and arranged that downward movement of said lever rotates said shaft so as to carry said roller to the outermost extremities of said undulated cam thereby rocking said rockable shaft to release said fingers from engagement with said tampers.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and take off mechanism adapted to be swung under said finished product and above said mold to receive said block from said block lift mechanism.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 and means operated by said take off mechanism as it is swun under said finished product to engage said block lift clutch for returning said block lift mechanism to starting position.

JACOB MAKEDONSKY. WILLIAM MAKEDONSKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,313,067 Carse Aug. 12, 1919 1,583,698 McIntyre May 4, 1926 1,586,805 Heskett June 1, 1926 1,699,218 Besser Jan. 15, 1929 1,868,072 Parker July 19, 1932 

